Skoda Rapid facelift launched in India from Rs 8.27 lakh with a new diesel engine option

After plenty of speculation, Skoda India has finally launched its facelifted version of the Skoda Rapid compact sedan. As expected, the new Rapid arrives with a number of cosmetic upgrades, but also adds a new 1.5-litre diesel option.Price tags for the new Skoda Rapid start from Rs 8.27 lakh and goes all the way up to Rs 11.36 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) for the petrol variant and Rs 9.48 lakh to Rs 12.67 lakh for the diesel variant depending on the trim selected. Official dealerships across the country had already begun accepting pre-bookings for a token amount of Rs 25,000 from 25 October.The C-segment sedan get a makeover that now feel at home alongside the new Superb and the upcoming Kodiaq which is also expected to make its way to India.The styling is now sharper and there's a new 3D front grille similar to the one on the new  Octavia and the new Superb. The new headlamps also get the angular treatment with a new fog headlamps on the front.Other additions include automatic headlamps, rain sensing wipers, a MirrorLink infotainment system (top-end variant), USB, Bluetooth and much more. Airbags are standard equipment.The interiors will also see changes including a plush cabin space with new leather upholstery.The sedan will come in petrol and diesel engines; a 1.6-litre MPI four-cylinder petrol engine an updated 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine. The petrol engine will produce 103bhp and 153Nm peak torque while the diesel engine will produce 108bhp with a peak torque of 250Nm. Both engines will be mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission.